What's the Weather like in Skanes in May
Temperature
May is the start of the long, hot summer in Skanes. Temperatures are gradually reaching their height, rainfall averages are falling, and sunshine hours are growing. While the winter in the Sahel is more like the north with its Mediterranean climate, higher rainfall averages and cooler days, the summer bears more resemblance to the arid, dry Saharan south. Expect some very high temperatures and warmer seas. Perfect beach weather!
Average temperatures of 20C, with highs of 24C, mean May in the Sahel should be quite warm and pleasant. The highest temperature ever recorded in the area is 43C; while temperatures do often reach the mid-30s for several days of the month, they are very unlikely to be much higher. By June it will be very hot indeed, but May is just the start of the season and temperatures are generally more clement. High temperatures are somewhat mitigated in coastal areas by cooling sea breezes, which do help make the hot weather slightly more bearable throughout the summer. Overnight, temperatures fall significantly but it's unlikely to feel too cold; they rarely drop below lows of 15C. Sea temperatures are also beginning to warm up now, reaching a slightly more pleasant 18C and there are an average of 9 long hours of sunshine each day.
Sunshine Hours
In comparison, Tataouine in the South receives a slightly higher number of sunshine hours with average temperatures of 23C, and highs of 29C; the Saharan south of Tunisia is very hot indeed, and dry; Tataouine receives only 7mm of rainfall on average in the month. The south also receives a greater number of sunshine hours on average: 10 in Tataouine and 12 in Djerba off the south east coast.
Rain and Humidity
Rainfall averages drop significantly in May and only 10mm of rainfall is expected over 4 days in the month. Showers are unlikely to be heavy or prolonged; more usually they just consist of an hour or so of light drizzle. It is possible there will be a little fog some mornings, though visibility usually clears by midday; the more mountainous north and central regions still see at least one foggy day in May. With decreased precipitation, correspondingly the humidity levels fall to a very moderate 70% or below; while Tunisia does see some very high temperatures between May and September, it's a dry heat and generally feels more bearable thanks to low humidity levels.
Skanes Hotels in May
The Hotel Neptunia Beach is a low to mid-range choice, suitable for families with young children or as a base to do some exploring. The children's club are excellent, the pool is lovely, and the bar serves a range of snacks and reasonably priced drinks. The main restaurant offers a great variety, sure to satisfy even the fussiest of eaters.
Skanes Family Resort is a mid-range choice that caters specifically to families with young children. The rooms are fresh and modern, and the "swim up" option puts you right on the pool. Four outdoor pools and a water park provide fun for the whole family, and there are a range of sports and other activities to keep you busy if you fancy a change. The spa offers a range of treatments, and the evening entertainment offers something for everyone with discos and amphitheatre shows.
Skanes Beach for May
Skanes, a purpose-built resort and suburb of the Mediterranean port of Monastir, boasts lovely Moorish architecture, gardens and market-places, as well as stunning white-sand beaches. It's also a great base from which to explore the surrounding area, with great transport links to Monastir and Sousse.
Between Skanes and the sea is a wide, pristine white-sand beach that stretches for 8 kilometres; from Sousse all the way to Monastir. The gently shelving sand and mild currents mean it's safe for children, and the warm Mediterranean Sea ensure it's popular for watersports and swimming in the summer months. There's a wide portfolio of watersports on offer on the beachfront, from banana boats to paragliding. And plenty of cafes and food stands, where you can grab an ice-cream or a mint tea if you want to escape the heat at midday. Beaches are likely to be pretty crowded between June and August, at peak season, so it might be worth going a little further afield.
Bars and Restaurants
Sesame serves traditional local cuisine, and while the menu is a little unvarying and unimaginative, the quality of the food is generally excellent.
If you fancy a break from standard hotel fare, and the (although excellent) Tunisian cuisine, try L'Ostana on Boulevard Hedi Nouira. L'Ostana serves a variety of Mediterranean food, the atmosphere is very lively and pleasant, and the prices very reasonable. Located on the marina, choose a table outside to make the best of views out over the water.
Things to do in Skanes in May
The Sahara Beach stables in Skanes offer a range of riding classes, for beginners and more experienced riders, beach rides, as well as horseback treks in the surrounding area. Just pop into the stables to book.
There are any number of boat trips that can be booked along the beach. Glass bottomed boats sail around the coast, giving visitors a chance to catch a glimpse of some of the spectacular marine wildlife (without getting their wet suit on). It's very interactive and perfect for children, though no doubt adults will enjoy it as well.
If you're feeling adventurous, one of the best ways to explore the beautiful Saharan landscape is with a desert quad bike tour. Quad tours can be booked through your hotel, and, if you've never done it before, don't worry; you'll be given plenty of instruction on how to handle the bike.
